Abstract
We present an unreported magnetic configuration in epitaxial () (LSMO) films grown on strontium titanate (STO). X-ray magnetic circular dichroism indicates that the remanent magnetic state of thick LSMO films is opposite to the direction of the applied magnetic field. Spectroscopic and scattering measurements reveal that the average Mn valence varies from mixed to an enriched region near the STO interface, resulting in a compressive lattice along the , axis and a possible electronic reconstruction in the Mn orbital (). This reconstruction may provide a mechanism for coupling the moments antiferromagnetically along the surface normal direction, and in turn may lead to the observed reversed magnetic configuration.
- Received 3 August 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.257204
© 2010 The American Physical Society